Heyer may be taking Jansen's job

[crazyhorse1]

Neither JJ nor Heyer is going to help us win games, but the other OL members are basically through as viable first stringers, including Samuels. We're going to pay for neglecting both the OL and DL. I want to trade Moss and Randal El for young linemen and rebuild with possession receivers who can block. BMC, Davis, and ey. Other musts are to get Mason and Colt playing time.

Campbell won't be effective behind our current line.

[1niksder]

Isn't Jansen healthy now? I thought he was. He doesn't look much like a stud to me...I'll take my chances with the kid...

Jansen suffered a foot injury in the game against Carolina. Hasn't practice since but is expected to practice on Sunday.

When asked about Jansen starting Week 1, Zorn said: “That remains to be seen because of his health. I want him to practice and show that he can anchor on that foot. It’s going to be a matter of how he performs in practice.”

[GSPODS]

Jon Jansen, the longest-tenured Redskin, was surprised to hear that coach Jim Zorn just said that he and second-year man Stephon Heyer are battling to start at right tackle.

"I don't know what to say," Jansen said. "I guess it means I'm in a fight for my position. I've felt I've done a good job this preseason. I didn't play very well against the Panthers, but neither did anybody else. Until then, I've had lot people in the organization tell me I was having the best camp I've ever had."

Asked if he thought his roster spot was in jeopardy, Jansen said he wasn't prepared to answer the question.

Jim Zorn added: “Stephon has a chance to compete for the position. I’m not giving up on Jon Jansen. He has been a great part of this offense. We’re just evaluating and I thought Stephon came in and did a pretty good job.”

Heyer

[DEHog]

I didn't play very well against the Panthers, but neither did anybody else

As a coach...I hate when one of my players says this!

I like Heyer...not sure I've seen enough from him to warrant taken Jansen's job.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I didn't play very well against the Panthers, but neither did anybody else

As a coach...I hate when one of my players says this!

I like Heyer...not sure I've seen enough from him to warrant taken Jansen's job.

I'm a huge Jansen fan, Wolverines, Skins being my favorite College and Pro teams. But I see NOTHING wrong with Zorn challenging him. We're paying him big bucks. I'm not disagreeing with you. I just think the message is "don't assume the position's yours when you feel up to playing." That's the right message. That's the TRUE message.

[Gibbs4Life]

I was a huge Jansen fan...back in 2000 but we are however 8 years down the road, Heyer has done nothing but impress.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I was a huge Jansen fan...back in 2000 but we are however 8 years down the road, Heyer has done nothing but impress.

So we let them play it out...

[CanesSkins26]

I'm a huge Jansen fan, Wolverines, Skins being my favorite College and Pro teams.

Could be a rough year for you then. Michigan looked terrible against Utah yesterday.

[BigRedskinDaddy]

This might be a little off-topic, but the reason Todd Wade was cut had a little bit to do with his not being able to multi-task, ie play more than one position on the line. At least that's how it sounds coming off the wires.

We have some options here if JJ can't get it done. Heyer will start the season, and if he can't be put on an island then we either give him help with a TE or RB in on passing downs, or plug someone else in there. Rino could be switched over to the RT, although I remember reading in TC that Buges wanted to keep him on the left side of the line.

On the current roster only two lineman are listed at specific spots: Geisinger and Thomas at OG and Jansen and Samuels at OT. That to me suggests that possibly Kendall or even Fabini could see time on the outside, though I imagine that would happen only in the event (knock wood) of catastrophic injuries to more than one player on the O-line. Buges is a master of his craft, and surely knows that you cannot create chemistry and cohesion by switching guys up just about every other week.

What am I saying with this? I don't know if Heyer is the answer for JJ, but I DO think its a smart move to look for someone else after what we've seen out of him this preseason. If it's not SH, then we go with one of the rooks or another vet in that spot.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I'm a huge Jansen fan, Wolverines, Skins being my favorite College and Pro teams.

Could be a rough year for you then. Michigan looked terrible against Utah yesterday.

Yes they did. There was a little hope with the 2 TDs to make it close. Even though we fell short I hope that give the team a little pick up. But realistically we lost the top passer in our history, the top running back in our history, our top 2 receivers including last year's Big Ten leader, the #1 pick in the NFL draft and our top 4 tacklers. I like Rodriquez in the long run, but he has an inexperienced team that wasn't recruited to be in his system and our QB heir apparent who's a drop back passer transferred. Leaving us with 3 QBS (redshirt sophomore, redshirt freshman, true freshman) who have never stared a game. If we go 7-5 this year and keep our streak of winning seasons and bowls alive I'll be THRILLED.

Actually the irony struck me how similar Michigan to the Skins this year. New coach opening up an offense with a team he didn't pick. Expectations for the O low as a result and the team is going to have to rely on D while the O learns the new system. Funny.

[tribeofjudah]

Stephon Heyer will start Thursday against the New York Giants in the regular-season opener at Giants Stadium. Heyer just spoke with Jason La Canfora and confirmed that he will start ahead of Jon Jansen on the offensive line.

Heyer said he learned from his experience starting last season and feels he is ready. "It's the same concepts, just a different day," Heyer said. He said the coaches did not inform him whether the move is permanent because Jansen is dealing with a sprained foot. "I don't know really, I'm just going to take it as they want me to start this Thursday and I'll go from there," Heyer said.

JLC...Washington Post

[GSPODS]

Stephon Heyer will start Thursday against the New York Giants in the regular-season opener at Giants Stadium. Heyer just spoke with Jason La Canfora and confirmed that he will start ahead of Jon Jansen on the offensive line.

Heyer said he learned from his experience starting last season and feels he is ready. "It's the same concepts, just a different day," Heyer said. He said the coaches did not inform him whether the move is permanent because Jansen is dealing with a sprained foot. "I don't know really, I'm just going to take it as they want me to start this Thursday and I'll go from there," Heyer said.

JLC...Washington Post

Once again, much ado about nothing from JLC.
I guess we should really be greatful that Heyer will not have to face either Strahan or Umenyiora, but it isn't like it would have made any difference if Jansen was starting.

[Bob 0119]

Combined to keep things tidy.

[Skinsfan55]

Well, Jon Jansen just lost his job, but it's not due to the bad economy:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/redski ... v=rss_blog

Welcome to the big time Stephon.

[GSPODS]

Heyer v. Jansen

[NC43Hog]

Seems weird that Heyer would be reporting this and not Buges or Zorn. Just a hierarchy thing.

[MDSKINSFAN]

Seems weird that Heyer would be reporting this and not Buges or Zorn. Just a hierarchy thing.

yea that is weird. you would think that the coaches would tell him they would announce it...but i hope this move works out.

[Bob 0119]

also moved to existing topic

[ChillWill]

I'm finding it hard to believe that so many cannot see that Heyer has played better than Jansen. Please re-watch all of the tape. Jansen get's beaten by every player he lined up against. I could see if he was getting beaten by Pro Bowlers. He was getting beaten by the average Joe. I love JJ but his day has come and gone. I just wish we could cut that salary of his. He's a good backup guard at best. We finally have a coach who will make the so called tough decision and not be blinded by history. This move is 3 years over due.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I think more is being read into this then actually happened yet. Jansen had a major injury and isn't fully healthy yet. Speed, planting, those are the things that were pointed to. Certainly Heyer's getting a shot, it's not nothing. But both are going to play and the better one's going to play more. People read too much into depth charts.

[Deadskins]

I think more is being read into this then actually happened yet. Jansen had a major injury and isn't fully healthy yet. Speed, planting, those are the things that were pointed to. Certainly Heyer's getting a shot, it's not nothing. But both are going to play and the better one's going to play more. People read too much into depth charts.

Not really along the O-line, though. You may rotate out other positions to keep people fresh, but that's not the case on the O-line.

[KazooSkinsFan]

I think more is being read into this then actually happened yet. Jansen had a major injury and isn't fully healthy yet. Speed, planting, those are the things that were pointed to. Certainly Heyer's getting a shot, it's not nothing. But both are going to play and the better one's going to play more. People read too much into depth charts.

Not really along the O-line, though. You may rotate out other positions to keep people fresh, but that's not the case on the O-line.

They do rotate, but you're right not as much. I stand by though anyone thinking it's now Heyer's job is jumping the gun. Jansen getting healthy will open it back up. The risk of course being Heyer does have a chance to cement the job as his own now. It's clearly a development, I'm just saying anyone who thinks it's over, Heyer beat Jansen's being premature. Clearly though starting Heyer is a great chance for him

[welch]

I find it curious that Jansen and Randy Thomas do so much talking in today's Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 02070.html

I have come to expect that Redskin coaches will say little, and what they say will be bland praise of all players involved, finishing with an assertion that everyone is focused on winning for the team. Players will say less, but with the same main message.

In this article, Jansen defends his play, extensively, and Thomas says, approximately, I can't worry about someone's job when I have to worry about my own.

[GSPODS]

I stopped reading right here:

Heyer first got a chance to work with the starters when Pro Bowl left guard Chris Samuels required knee surgery early in 2007 training camp, and his rapid rise was one of the more surprising developments a year ago.

JLC is so pathetic. How can anyone take him seriously, even when he is supposedly quoting players directly?

[1niksder]

I stopped reading right here:

Heyer first got a chance to work with the starters when Pro Bowl left guard Chris Samuels required knee surgery early in 2007 training camp, and his rapid rise was one of the more surprising developments a year ago.

JLC is so pathetic. How can anyone take him seriously, even when he is supposedly quoting players directly?

It's the norm for JLC on his blog but this wasn't his blog. He really doesn't have a clue.

Everyone is reporting that this move has nothing to do with JJ health. JLC has scooped everyone. Jansen is not the starting tackle because he has been in a battle for the left guard spot.

IMO: Jon just reworked his contract (again) so he'll be here awhile. With the recent injuries to his leg(s) moving him inside might prolong his career.